Anthracite coal briquette gas is unique environmental gas in that it is ubiquitous in Korea and is a complex gas consisting of CO, SO₂, NO₂ and H₂S. Numerous studies have been carried out on the health effects of major air pollutants but most of them were made on the effects of individual gases and were concentrated largely on the respiratory system. On the other hand, research of the toxic effects of air pollutants on the oropharynx in which lymphoid organ, the tonsil, is situated is still unsatisfactory. Author sought the pathological changes of rabbit oropharyngeal mucosa acutely exposed to anthracite coal briquette gas as the first step to clarify the effect of air pollutants on the pharynx including lymphoid organ. The results were as follows : 1) Inflammatory reaction of tonsillar epithelium was evident in both 1 hour exposure group and 2 hour exposure group, the latter showing more severe inflammation. 2) Lateral oropharyngeal mucosa of control group and experimental group showed no inflammatory reaction. 3) Tonsil which is located at the entrance of respiratory and digestive system is reactive not only to biologic invasion but is also reactive to the air pollutants.